This album does not cull American composer David
Rosenboom’s early works. Instead, it gathers the five pieces and three etudes
he wrote between 1978 and 1981 as part of a cycle entitled “In the Beginning.”
In the course of this series, he developed a musical model whose aspects were
all based on harmonic proportions. In his liner notes, Chris Brown suggests the
word harmonicism (like in serialism) to describe Rosenboom’s approach. Two of
these pieces were composed for Buchla synthesizers – they are presented in
period live performances (the sound is very good). The other works are
represented by recent studio recordings. The cycle as a whole covers a wide
range of instrumentations, from electronics and computer to piano solo,
multitracked trombone, wind quintet, and chamber orchestra. “In the Beginning
III: (Quintet)” features a fine balance between concept and sheer beauty. But
the gem here is “In the Beginning V: (The Story)” for chamber orchestra, a
20-minute suite where Rosenboom revisits the ideas developped in the previous
pieces. It makes for an impressive synthesis. Two CDs with in-depth notes by
Chris Brown.

Taylor Deupree continues to work his magic. Faint
is 50 minutes of ambient electronic bliss – delicate, ethereal, luminous. Some
might also say “insubstantial” and it’s kind of true: with time, what was once
seen as an “experimental” approach – Deupree is praised in avant-garde music
circles – is now sounding more and more mainstream to my ears, and Deupree’s
Faint is a particularly easy listen – don’t get me wrong, it’s a gorgeous
listen, but it’s definitely predictable.

Second album from this trio consisting of Alex
Maguire (keys), Michel Delville (guitar), and Tony Bianco (drums) – no guests
this time. A blend of original compositions and free improvisations, all in a
fuzzed-up jazz rock style that is more Mahogany Frog than Canterbury sound.
Plus a cover of “Purple Haze” where the trio reinvent this song from A to Z.
Maguire’s organ sounds are marvelously juicy, and the album sustains a
captivating pace. Very good.[Below:
Preview the album at bandcamp.]